So. At work two weeks ago, I cleaned up my desk. It was wonderful. It’s actually still clean, which is absolutely beyond cool, because usually when I clean, it doesn’t stay that way.

It’s not just my desk that is still clean, by the way. The side table next to my rocking chair and couch? Still clean. The couch in my dining room (don’t ask)? Still clean. I can’t tell you how good this feels, and it gives me hope.

What if I did this for absolutely everything in my house? Got these little areas cleaned up, one little spot at a time – the side table next to my love seat, under the television, the couch in my bedroom, and the top of the bookshelves lining my living room – these places could all be cleaned up. And what if I did it? Would they stay clean?

They might. It’s gratifying to keep things unmessy. It’s super easy to put things where they belong, when they have a place.

Perhaps I’ve spoken too soon. Maybe things won’t stay that way.

But maybe they will.

How do you keep things clean?